Abstract
The European bone-skippers (Diptera: Piophilidae: Thyreophorina), long considered extinct, have recently been the object of much interest by dipterists after their unexpected rediscovery. Considerable faunistic work has been done on these flies in recent years. However, some nomenclatural and taxonomic issues still require attention. A neotype is designated for Thyreophora anthropophaga Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (now in the genus Centrophlebomyia Hendel, 1903) to fix the identity of this nominal species. Centrophlebomyia anthropophaga is recognized as a valid species. It is described and illustrated in detail, and information on its preimaginal instars is provided for the first time. Four Palaearctic species of Centrophlebomyia are recognized and reviewed and a key is provided for their identification. Centrophlebomyia orientalis Hendel, 1907 from northern India, is removed from synonymy with Centrophlebomyia anthropophaga and recognized as a valid species of Centrophlebomyia, stat. r. The nominal genus Protothyreophora Ozerov, 1984 is considered a junior synonym of Centrophlebomyia, syn. n.
Highlights
It is undeniable that some organisms are able to provoke great curiosity, which may last through generations of students
Our study shows that specimens of Centrophlebomyia from Sardinia and central instar of Centrophlebomyia anthropophaga (Italy) are conspecific and are different from both C. orientalis and C. furcata, so we here propose to remove orientalis Hendel from synonymy with anthropophaga Robineau-Desvoidy
We still know almost nothing about the biology, ecology and distribution of these flies, due both to their apparent rarity and the lack of targeted research
Summary
It is undeniable that some organisms are able to provoke great curiosity, which may last through generations of students. There are several, often interrelated reasons for this: rarity for example, true or apparent, and a certain aesthetic appeal or unusual biology. All of these factors have contributed to the long-term popularity of thyreophorine Piophilidae, that of the European species. These unusual-looking flies, commonly known as bone-skippers, appear to be associated as necrophages with large vertebrate carrion, including human corpses, and have always been considered rare, almost legendary (cf Pape, 2009). Despite the aura of exceptionality surrounding these flies, and the excitement their rediscovery has recently raised among dipterists, there is still some confusion concerning their taxonomy and nomenclature
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